Jenks says he's not worthy of the All-Star Game

Monday

Bobby Jenks may well be the lone representative from the White Sox at the All-Star Game next month, but he doesn’t even think he should be there.

“Right now? To me? No,” Jenks said when asked if he’s an All-Star. “I could be better right now.”

The Sox closer is 2-3 with a 3.14 ERA and 18 saves in 20 chances, but blew his last save opportunity Wednesday and was tagged with a loss Saturday.

Numbers notwithstanding, Jenks knows the main way he can get better is to somehow regain his electric fastball that has disappeared.

“My true fastball hasn’t been there all year,” Jenks said. “I’ve been anywhere from 90 to 96 (mph), I’ve hit 97 once or twice this year, but I’m the guy who usually sits at 97. For me, the velocity isn’t the biggest issue, it’s just being able to put that in the same game plan as being efficient.”

Dye-ing to know

Jermaine Dye said his strained right quad felt just as bad Sunday as it had Saturday. The right fielder showed up at 8:30 a.m. Sunday to get treatment, which the Sox hope will allow him to avoid a stint on the disabled list.

“We have to wait a few more days to see if he can recover,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “Maybe in the next couple of days, we will make the decision if he will go to the DL or be back in the lineup.”

Scouts’ honor

The Sox named Doug Laumann director of amateur scouting. He has been with the organization since 1990 - including a stint as director of scouting from 2001-03. He replaces recently fired Duane Shaffer.

“I’ve always considered scouting directors as somewhat of purchasing agents,” Laumann said. “You’re purchasing the raw materials for your company, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. We know what we want now, and those are the type of players we’re going to get for the organization.”

General manager Ken Williams said he will continue to be hands-on in the drafting process, but he trusts Laumann.

“I’ve relied heavily upon him over this past summer and over the last number of years in the professional scouting and the amateur scouting part,” Williams said.

Shifting to the right

In hopes of correcting the high-pitch-count problems that have plagued him recently, John Danks has changed his starting point on the mound.

“The only thing we’ve done is I’ve moved over on the rubber,” Danks said. “We noticed when I miss, it’s more times than not arm side, so we’ve moved over to the third-base (side) to maybe counter that.”

Starting now

One-time reliever Andrew Sisco has been put in the starting rotation with Triple-A Charlotte, a move Williams said would be permanent.

In his first start Saturday night - which lasted 3 2/3 innings - the left-hander gave up four hits and two runs, walking three and striking out three.

Ominous signs

Hitting coach Greg Walker: “Believe it or not, it could get worse.” ... The Sox were swept at home in an interleague series for the first time ever. ... The Sox were 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position over the weekend. ... Their .222 winning percentage in interleague play this season is the lowest in club history.

More Sox coverage can be found online at www.dailysouthtown.com/sports

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